Zaid Ibn Thaabit
Mostly Taken from: Men around the Messenger By: Khalid Muhammad Khalid
Also: www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/history/biographies/sahaabah/bio.ZAYD_IBN_THABIT.html
He was an Ansar from Al-Madinah. When the Prophet (SAAS) reached Madinah in his Hijrah, Zaid was eleven years old. He embraced Islam with the Muslims of his clan. His father took him to take part in the Battle of Badr, but the Prophet sent him back because of his young age.
Later on, however, he began to play the role of a warrior in the cause of Allah on A.H 5.
He had a believing and faithful personality which was developing rapidly. He was a great warrior. He followed up the Qur'aanic revelation, learned it by heart, and wrote it for the Prophet (SAAS). When the the Prophet (SAAS) began proclaiming the message to the outer world and to send his messages to kings and emperors, he ordered Zaid (RA) to learn some of their languages. His personality became brighter and he was respected and honored. The Prophet (SAWS) wanted him to learn the language of the Jews. "At your command, Messenger of Allah," replied Zayd who set about learning Hebrew with enthusiasm. He became proficient in the language and wrote it for the Prophet when he wanted to communicate with the Jews. Zayd also read and translated from Hebrew when the Jews wrote to the Prophet. Also, the Prophet told him to learn Syriac . Zayd was the interpreter for the Prophet in his dealings with non-Arabic speaking peoples.
Zaid was also entrusted with the weighty responsibility of recording the Divine revelation. When any part of the Qur'an was revealed, the Prophet (SAWS) usually sent for Zaid to bring his writing materials. Thus, Zaid acted as the scribe of the Prophet (SAWS) as well. However, Zaid was not the only scribe of the Prophet, different sources report that around 40 or more also took on this task [I have a few sources]. At the time of Abu Bakr's Khalifate, Zaid was asked to take on the heavy task of compiling the whole Qur'an into one manuscript--Since he was very trusted and was very knowledgeable of the Qur'an. At this, Zaid said : "By Allah, if he (Abu Bakr) had ordered me to shift one of the mountains from its place, it would not have been harder for me than what he had ordered me concerning the collection of the Quran.". Thus, Zaid Ibn Thaabit set out to his task [Many companions were involved, people who memorized, written copies, etc.. were used to collect it] . When he completed it, he left the prepared Suhuf with Abu Bakr (RA). Then the suhuf were kept with Umar [the second khalifah]. Then , he left it with his daughter Hafsa [who was also the wife of the Prophet (SAWS).